Four Orange County cases have dealt early legal setbacks to local ordinances barring sex offenders from recreation areas:

•People v. Hugo Godinez

Godinez was convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery in 2010. He contends in court papers that he was at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley for a work event and a soccer game on May 5, 2011, and acknowledges he was aware of the county's ordinance prohibiting him from entering the park. He was found guilty of violating the law in November 2011 and sentenced to 100 days in jail and five years probation. Godinez challenged the county's ordinance, arguing it is pre-empted by state law, is vague and overbroad.

The Orange County Superior Court's appellate division reversed his conviction, saying state regulations trump local laws. Godinez's case is now before the 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana. A ruling there could be precedent-setting, rendering the county and similar city ordinances unenforceable.

The appellate court is expected to hear oral arguments in the next few months. Any ruling by the court will likely be appealed to the California Supreme Court, which can accept or decline to hear the matter.

•People v. Jean-Pierre Nguyen

Nguyen was convicted of a misdemeanor annoying or molesting a child in 1998 and of misdemeanor indecent exposure in July 2012. He was arrested at an Irvine park while playing tennis on Sept. 6, 2012. A judge dismissed the case, finding the Irvine ordinance is pre-empted by state law and is unconstitutionally vague and overly broad. Prosecutors appealed and the appellate division of the Superior Court certified the case for transfer to the 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana. The appellate court has accepted the transfer.

•People v. Timothy Steven Dermody

Dermody was convicted of felony child molestation in 2002. He was cited for violating the Fullerton ordinance when he was in a parked car with his adult girlfriend near Nicolas Park in May 2012. After a judge rejected the public defender's objection to the charge, the office sought a ruling from the appellate division of the Superior Court. A three-judge panel in April agreed the ordinance is pre-empted by state law and is unconstitutionally vague and broad. The lower-court judge dismissed the case Friday.

•People v. Randolph Carr

Carr was convicted of rape in 1986. The homeless man was arrested in June 2012 at Centennial Park in Tustin, where he was using a restroom. A judge dismissed the case, finding the Tustin ordinance is pre-empted by state law. Tustin appealed to the Superior Court's appellate division, which issued an order staying the appeal pending the outcome of Godinez's case.

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